Stool Test Codes and Their Interpretations

Stool analysis is a common test used to assess digestive health and detect diseases and conditions affecting the digestive system. In this article, we explain stool test codes and how to interpret the results.

Common Stool Test Codes

A stool analysis involves a series of tests conducted on a stool sample to gain insight into intestinal health and function. These tests can diagnose conditions such as bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, malabsorption of nutrients, or even colon cancer.

There are several types of stool tests, and the doctor chooses the appropriate one based on the patient's symptoms and medical history. Below are common stool test codes:

1. Macroscopic Stool Analysis

This test evaluates stool characteristics visible to the naked eye, unlike microscopic analyses. Below are some common codes and their meanings:

• Color: Normal stool is brown. Black, red, white, yellow, or green stool can indicate infection or other issues.
• Amount: A large amount of stool may indicate a health problem.
• Consistency: Stool should be soft and well-formed. Liquid or hard stool may indicate a condition.
• Shape: Normal stool is tubular in shape.
• Mucus: The absence of mucus is normal. Its presence may indicate inflammation or infection.

2. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

This test detects hidden blood in the stool (occult blood). A positive result could suggest bleeding in the digestive tract, which may be due to hemorrhoids, ulcers, polyps, or colon cancer.

3. Stool Culture

This test identifies bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi causing digestive infections, such as rotavirus, Clostridium difficile bacteria, Giardia parasite, tapeworms, flatworms, and others.

4. White Blood Cell Test

This test checks for the presence of white blood cells in stool, which could indicate a bacterial infection or inflammatory bowel disease.

5. H. Pylori Antigen Test

This test detects the presence of H. pylori bacteria in stool and helps assess treatment effectiveness.

Other Stool Test Codes

Stool tests are not limited to the ones mentioned above; there are also less common tests. Below is a brief overview of these tests and their associated codes:

1. FIT-DNA Test

This test looks for occult blood and altered DNA in the stool, which may suggest precancerous or cancerous conditions. A positive result may require further testing, such as a colonoscopy.

2. Stool Fat Test

This test measures fat levels in the stool. Elevated levels may indicate malabsorption, pancreatic disorders, cystic fibrosis, or other conditions that affect fat absorption.

3. Sugars in Stool

Elevated sugar levels in the stool may indicate lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, sucrose malabsorption or other carbohydrate metabolism disorders like galactosemia.

4. Pancreatic Enzyme Test

This test measures levels of pancreatic enzymes such as elastase-1 or chymotrypsin to assess pancreatic function. Low levels may indicate pancreatic insufficiency.

5. Calprotectin Test

The presence of the calprotectin enzyme in stool can indicate:

• Infections.
• Cancers, such as colon cancer.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Blazma Labs offers a range of stool tests, including stool analysis, Helicobacter Pylori Ag - Stool, Occult blood tests, and Culture & Sensitivity - Stool. Some tests may have specific requirements.